LIVERPOOL'S Chinese community is being urged to celebrate its achievements through an awards scheme.

The Pearl Awards are the UK's first awards solely for the Chinese community in Britain.

They have been established through social enterprise company the Pearl Foundation and Manchester-based Chinatown magazine.

Former Brookside actress Sarah Lam will present the awards at a ceremony in London in September.

Categories include the arts, media, sport, business enterprise and service to the community.

There will also be the Reverence for Life Award, recognising commitment to protection and welfare of animals in accordance with humane principles.

William Ong, founder of the Pearl Foundation which was set up to raise the profile of the Chinese contribution to British life, is confident the awards will make a difference to Britain's Chinese communities.

He said: "When you compare the Chinese profile to that of other ethnic minorities such as African, Caribbean or South Asian, it remains very low.

"The Pearl Awards hope to provide inspiring role models for the Chinese and bring the efforts and achievements of certain individuals and organisations to the notice of a wider public."

The awards have drawn support from sponsors and individuals including the first Chinese peer in the UK, Lord Chan of Oxton, who has agreed to be patron.

He said: "We hope the Liverpool commun it y wi l l take th is opportunity to nominate individuals or organisations to rece ive nationwide recognition for their efforts."

Po l ly Green, manag er o f Liverpool 's Pagoda Chinese community centre, said she welcomed news of the awards, which has already been circulated among the city's 7,000-strong Chinese community.

She added: "In the past maybe people haven't known they were entitled to be nominated for awards, or nominate someone else.

"The Pearl Awards are specifically for the Chinese community."

People can nominate individuals or organisations by downloading a form from www.thepearlawards.org.uk